Maresca explains Rayan Ait-Nouri’s limited Manchester City opportunities

Enzo Maresca says competition from Josko Gvardiol and Niko O’Reilly has restricted Rayan Ait-Nouri’s playing time at Manchester City this season.

The Algeria international is competing for the left-back position with Gvardiol and O’Reilly, both of whom have been preferred by Maresca since the start of the campaign.

“At this position we have Gvardiol, who is performing well, and we have Niko O’Reilly, who adds something when he is fully fit,” Maresca told reporters.

“It is the same position, so it is about competition between them.”

Ait-Nouri had made three appearances for Manchester City before Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Brighton. Two of those outings came in the Champions League and the other was in the English League Cup, with the defender yet to feature in the Premier League.

He started against Norwich City in the English League Cup and provided two assists during Manchester City’s 5-0 victory. He also came on as a substitute against Porto and AEK Athens in the Champions League.

His limited involvement has left him behind Gvardiol and O’Reilly in the battle for regular selection at left-back, although Maresca said the situation was a result of competition rather than a lack of confidence in the Algeria player.

Manchester City are preparing to face Brighton on Saturday in the ninth round of the Premier League.

The club sit top of the table with 21 points, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference. Manchester City suffered their first defeat of the competition in the previous round, losing to Aston Villa.

The match against Brighton will provide Ait-Nouri with another opportunity to challenge for a place in the starting line-up, having so far been used primarily in cup and European fixtures.